Artificial limb



0. E. WORMAN.

MTI'IFICIAL LIME. APPLICATION man MAH. a, 1920.

Patented my 5,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l 27V vE/v TOR: OscAR E'. WoRMA/v.

AA-rrR/wsms.

0. E. WORMAN.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION man mm. a, 1920.

Patented J l115r 5, 1921.

3 sums-SHEET 2.

OSCAR E. WOR/VAN 5y 4MM ATToR/vsys.

0. yE. WORMAN. ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPucAloN man MAR. s. 1920.

Patented July 5, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

84 IN1/N TOR.' OSCAR E. WOR/WAN. BY

of MMM ATToR/v/s xs:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR E. WORMAN, 0F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

ARTIFICIAL LIME.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, OscAR E. WORMAN, a .Citizen of theUnited States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and vState of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specification. Y

My invention relates to artificial limbs and more particularly .to artificial limb members for use. in cases of amputation below the knee. An object of my invention is toprovide an artificial limb which will not only resemble the corresponding human limb in shape, but will function in a manner similar ythereto so that persons who have been crippled by the loss of lower limbs may have their usefulness restored while, at the same time, the handicap in appearance which 'would otherwise exist is overcome, Another object is to provide an artificial limb which may rbe readily and'economically manufactured and which will insure a maximum amount of comfort to the individual wearing the same.

The full objects and advantages of my Ainvention will appear in connection with the detailed description and the novel features embodied in my inventive idea will be particularly pointed out inthe claims.

. In the accompanying drawings which villustrate my invention embodied in van articial limb intended for use in cases of amputation Vbelow the knee:

Figure 1 is a view-in side elevation showing particularly the knee-joint construction. Fig. 2 is a view on an enlarged scale similar to Fig. 1 but showingthe knee joint in its bent position. Fig. 3 is a view insection on the line 3 3 of Fig; 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view showingone manner of sup porting the slip-socket. Fig. 5 is a view partly in `section and partly in side elevation,.,showing another manner of supporting` the slip-socket. Fig. 6 is a detailed view, partly in section. Fig. 7 is a sectional viewl at right angles to Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is' a view Vmostly inside elevation of a modified construction for use in cases of amputation -below the knee.. Fig. 9 is a detailed view looking at the'rear upper portion of the shank member shown in Fig.'8. Fig. 10 is a view in section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8. Y Fig. 11 Iis a view in section on the line Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1921.

Application filed March 8, 1920.' Serial No. 364,083.

Vshell member made from fiber, rubber, aluminum or any molded material constructed with or withoutseams and'which may be made in standard or stock sizes to be cut o" and completed as needed according to the -character of the amputation. The shank member, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is provided with a slip-socket 16, supported for sliding movement in the upper end thereof. The shank member is pivotally connected to an upper leg member or lacer 18 by a knee-joint formed by upper lmee-joint straps 2O and lower knee joint straps 22 pivoted to each other by a knee bolt 24. As shown in Fig. 4, the knee-joint stra 22 may be provided with a shoulder or oiilet 26 to rest upon the vtop of thek shank member. The

.knee-joint straps are duplicated at opposite sides of the leg-members and are made of metal or other durable material. The

Yslip-socket may be made of ber, leather,

rubber, textile material or any suitable material which can be fitted to the stump of the wearer so that the artificial limb may be worn with comfort and ease without chafing or irritating the stump. The socket may be shaped by molding over the stump `or a reproduced model of the same. The socket is provided with a shoulder or collar 28, the lower edge of which is adapted to lcome into contact with the similarly shaped upper edge of the shank member when the weight of the ywearer is received by the socket. A strip 30 best shown in Fig. 2 extends over each knee-joint strap 22, and is secured at its ends to the socket so as to form a guide therefor which moves up and down on the knee-joint straps. The strips 30 may be secured to thesocket in any suitable manner as by means of screws, rivets, sewing or gluing and one or both ends may be fastened in such manner as to be detachable.V The strips 30 may consist of elastic or non-elastic webbing or of material such as leather, fiber, metal, or any other suitable material. The collar or shoulder member 28 is provided with a projection or raised portion 32 on bothsides of the socket, at the rear of the knee-joint straps. This raised portion may be attached by means'of rivets, screws, gluing, sewing or other means of attachment, and may consist ofV an adjustable screw, as shown-in Fig. v5, which en gages screw threads in the socket member. The projections orniemb'ers-'32 are adapted to'be engaged lby the upperknee-j ointstraps when the knee is bent'for -a sitting position so as to press the socket' downward toward .fthe top ofthe shank member and thus rev120. Theprovision of 'more than one lbutton move the socket from contact with the stump in order to rest the same and prevent chafing and sweating. projections 32 may be properly engaged, the kneejoint straps 20 are preferably provided with vlugs 34.! The slip socket is provided with' means for holding it up tothe stump except when released therefrom in the mannerjust described. This means may consist of an elastic member 36, the lower end of which is provided with a buttonhole 38 for yattachment to a button 40 carried bythe guide strip 30.l In Fig. 2, member 36 is shown detached from the button 4() for -clearness of illustration. The upper endV of the lmember 36 is preferably provided with ,two or more button holes 42 for. attachment-jte a button 44 carried bythe upper leg member, or by the 'upper' knee-j oint strap hole 42 provides a convenient manner of adjustment which mayy be effected in Vother ways'as' by a buckle. Fig. 5 shows means forsuspending thev slip socket from the top of the shank member. Elastic or spring members 46 are attached at their upper ends to' the top of the shank member at 48 and these elastic members are attached at their rlowerends to the lower portion of the slip -s'ocket'at 50.' The elastic members extend between the shank member. and the slip socket and draw the latter. .upwardly upon the-stump ofthe wearer except when the slip socketris depressed by theknee being bent for' asitting position in thek manner previously described. There may be one of v the elastic or spring members 46 at the front and one at` thev rear of the shank and also 1 one atea'ch side. When'used at thesides,

members are `preferably attached at "their upper ends to the knee-joint straps.

A che'ck or hold-back, 52, preferable of webbing,I is provided for preventing the. shank 60"' from swinging too far forward relatively to the .thigh member. This Ycheck extends be. f g tween the lower rear portion of the lacer or upper v-leg member and is 'attached in any suitable manner. The lower portion of the Vcheck is preferably provided with a lacing In order that the` 53 for adjustingpurposes.V The limb may be supported from the shoulder of the wearer by means of Suspenders extending to the front part of the shank and fastened thereto by `means ofa suitable fastener 54 at-eachgside of the shank. The fasteners 54 are preferably constructed as shown in F 7 andare composed of metal orother suitable material shaped to form afastener havinga base portion to rest upon the material to which they are attachedand having a Ahead adjacent the `base butlseparated therefrom' by a circumferential groovef The fasteners have a hole extending lcentrally therethrough to receiveY a rivet having a head 56 which prevents'the rivets Vpulling out of theV 'atits'lower end through which extends thev intermediate portion of acord 62th'eends of which are attached to fasteners 54 by means of eyes or. hooks. AsA a desirable manner of making the attachment to the fasteners 54V l haveshown adjustable spring hooks 64, which are preferably covered with leather, rubber, textile 'material or other material which will deadenmetallic sounds that would otherwise occur. yA .ferrule l66 made of metal, leather, fiber,"orother substantialmaterial is provided andeach end of the cord 62is pushed into one of these ferrules andw secured by gluing' or other suitable means of fastening. lThe outer end of the ferrule is provided 'with'a hole to receive the shank portion 68 ofthe hook which `m`ay be screwed or driven intothe endof the cord "surrounded .Y the, ferrule. A shoulder 70 on thehook Vengages the end of the ferrule andpreventsthe shank portion thereof from Y being driven 1- or` screwed too far into the end of the'V cord which is surrounded by the ferrule.' 'The contacting "ends" ofthe ferrule 66and theshoulder 70 may beprovided with fcorrugations and ridges which engage jand prevent the. hook from readily unscrewing.

i Figs. 8 to 1i show a Short llimaalsmaar .consisting ofa fiber'shank 72,' .having portions removedlat the front and back, begmj'ning at'the point 74 as indicated in Fig. 8

so as to j-leave side portions which are reinforced'by strips 76of durable material at `each' side,Y these strips vhaving, a breaking characteristick which is differentV from vthaty of the fiber. A socketmember78 consisting of suitable material, preferably leather, is securedto the. remaining siderportions of the shank which have the Areinforcing strips 76,

and this socket member is covered with suitable material 80 both inside and out in order to givel a smooth `finish. The rear upperv device 86 for holding the two sides whereby` the 'parts will beheld together incase the lacing should break. A liap 88 of leather or other suitable material is placed inside the opening 82 to protect the stump `for the Y full length of the lacing and this flap eX- -tends over the topV of the socket andcovers the strap and buckle. on the outside to prevent irritation of the limb and wear upon the clothing. This flap is :preferably fastened on the inside at its lower portion and the out-turned upper end is-fastened by the lacing as shown or by any other suitable means. Side straps 90 connect the shank to the ankle bolt shell sothat the ankle is reinforcedv at its `weakest portion.` The side straps may be attached by threading thein- K- ner surface of the customary ankle shell or cylinder to receive screw bolts 92. A band 94 may be provided to encircle the thigh of the wearer and a cord 62similar to that previously described may be attached to thel customary suspender.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a desirable form of ankle joint construction in which a sleeve 96 is employed for attaching a foot member 98 to the lower end of the shank member 14. This sleeve ris provided with a 'fiat reinforcing plate 100 somewhat above its lower end, and with a reinforcing'member 102 at its lower end which may be enlarged at vthe sides to formbossesorthickened portions 103. A pivotal vreinforcing member 101 may also be provided. The lower reinforcing member 102 `has Va curved portion which forms a seat for the ankle-pivoting member 106, which may be Vof the usual:v Construction. The reinforcing members carry afgsocket in which is inserted a buffer 108 the lower endk of which engages the top of the foot member, and the reinforcing members also carry a socket which is in a-linement with a socket in the foot member. VAV coil springpllO is placed in these sockets and a resilient core 112, which is shown broken away at its lower end in Fig. 12, isplaced withinthe coils of the spring. The spring on account of engagement with the resilient core, which cushions the -coils as show-n in Fig. 15, is prevented from sudden shock which might break one of the coils thereof. A buffer 114 is provided `between the top of the foot member and the lower end 'of the sleeve 1n front of the pivotal' connection: In order that the sleeve fmay be readily inserted-withinthe lower end of the shank member 14 the sleeve may be provided with one or more indentations adapted tov be forced outwardly after insertion of the sleeve. A convenient manner of providing for such an indentation is shown i-n Figs. 12 and 13 in which the numeral 116 designates cuts or slits made in the wall of the sleeve immediately above the upper edge of the plate or ledge 100. A slit of this kind may be made either at one or both sides of the sleeve adjacent thev ledge 100, these slitsbeing also adjacent ,the upper edge of an exterior ledge 101 upon which the lower end of the shank member rests. On account of the cut or slit it is an easy matter to indent the material above the same as indicated in dotted lines at l118 in Fig. 13, which is al plan view ofthe sleeve= looking at the same from the top. The material above the slit may be indented withoutdistorting Vor changing the sleeve below the slit. After the upper end of the sleeve has been'inserted in the lower. end of the shank member these; two members Vmay; be readily secured together by forcingI the in-` dented portion outwardly against'the inner wall of the shank member. In this manner a standard sleeve may be used for shank members which are of different sizes attheir lower ends. By making the cut adjacent the upper edge of the plate 100 it will be apparent that even when the lower end of the shank member is of such vsize that the indentation is not restored completely toits original position there will be no downwardl opening into the interior of the sleeve since the plate 100 forms a closure at the bottom' of the indentation; Fig. 12 shows. that the sleeve 96may, if desired,A be additionally secured within the lower ortion of the shank member by rivets. Be orethe sleeve isl se cured inV place it may be turned toward the' right or left to properly position the foot member relatively to the shank member.

Figs. 12 and 14 show a pivot-toe construction for permitting the toeportion to move upwardly' when the weight of the wearer is placedthereon. Fig. 12 shows this construction in longitudinal rsection and Fig. 14 is a top p-lanview showing the toe portion detached from the foot portion. The foot portion is provided with a forwardly-extending hinge member 120 and the toe portion 122 is provided with two' rearwardly-extending hinge members 124' which .fit upon the ends of the hinge member 120 so that longitudinal holes through these hinge members are brought into alinem'ent to receive a pintle 126. The toe. portion and the foot member are provided at the bottom with adjacent recessesto receivea piece of leather or Vother suitable flexible material 128, and at the top are cut away-to providevan opening vacross which extends one or/more resilient members 130 the ends of which are'secured in refio' cesses 132' and 134: contained in the toe portion and foot member respectively. The opening above the resilient member 130 is closed by a piecefofiiexible material 135.

z The hinge members 120, and 124k are located as closely as ractical tolthe bottom ofthe foot member foratwo-fold purpose. First, the stretching of the leather 128 is reduced to a minimum :when the toe portion moves relatively upward, and, second, whenV rthis f movement occurs theaction ofthe resilient member, which restores the toe portion to original position, is rendered more effective. "'Iolaim: F 1- .v

l. An artificial limb comprising a shank member, a slip-socket, means for supporting. sai-d socket for vertical movement in the upper endzof said shank member, knee joint straps secured to said shank member, and

transverse strips attached to said. socket, said strips passing over said knee joint strapswhereby said socket is guided.

2. yAn artificial limb .comprisinga shank member, a slip socket, means for supporting said socket for vertical movement in the upper end ofv said shank member, a collar around the upper portion of sai-d socket, the

lower edge of 'said collar beingshaped'vto correspondto the shape of the top edge. of said shank member and rest thereon when said socket is depressed,knee joint straps secured to saidshank member, and transverse:V stripsv attached to sai-d collar, Vsaid strips passing kover .said knee joint straps wherebysaid socket is guided.

, .v 3l An artifical limb comprising a shank member, a Yslip-socket adapted to move upv and down in the upper end of said'shank member, means for holding said `socket in engagement with thenstump of theY wearer when walking or standing, and means for forcing4 said socket out ofengagement with the stump when the knee is bent forV sitting position.

4. An `artifical limb comprising shank member, a slip socket adapted to move up anddown in the upper lend of saidshank s member, means for` holding said socket in engagement with the stump of the wearer when walking *orV standing, a thigh member, upper knee joint straps attachedito said thigh member, lower knee joint straps attached Yto said shank member, saidupper and lower straps being pivoted together,ad justable projections onl the upper portion of said socket, and lugs on said upper straps Y socket, said strips passing -over said knee joint strapswhereby said socket is guided, a-thigh member, and elastic members at tached at their lower ends toV said strips, said elastic," members thighlrmember.

extending upto said.

' V6. An artificial limb comprising a member, a slipsocketadapted to move up.-

and down in the upperi end of said shank member,.lower knee joint straps securedtosaid shank member, strips attached to said socket, said strips passing over -said knee l jointstraps whereby said .socket is guided,

a thigh member, upper -knee jointY straps secured to said thigh .memberand pivotedv to saidV lower straps, elastic members, meansA for attaching the lower ends of said elastic members to Ysaid strips, and means ,forpad-f vjustably attaching the iupper ends of` said elastic members kto saidupperp knee joint straps. I L f.. f

.,7. An artiiciallimb comprising ashank` member, a thigh member, connectionsy for v supporting said shank member -fromlsaid thigh member, a flat flexible vcheckmember secured at its upper end to therear of'said thigh member and extending below the upper end'of said shank member, and a lacing positioned entirely below the upper end ofasaid shank memberfor securing the lower end of said check memberto .the rear of saidshank member, whereby. the lacing'is prevented from Vgetting between said shank, member and the stump of the wearer. Y 1 Y v Sgen artificial limb comprising a.. shank member and a foot ,member pivoted together to form an ankle joint, said shank member having `a downwardlyV Yopening socket and' said foot member having anupwardly opening socket, a coiledspring 4extending from the` closed end of one socket to the closed'endof. the other socket, and a v resilient core with which-the coils of said spring engage; y g Y 9. An art'ficial limb comprising a hollow shank member'and a foot member pivoted to gether to form an ankle joint, a sleeve-tted to the lower end Yof said shank member, said sleevehavinga downwardly opening socket andsaid foot member V,having an upwardly opening socket,-a coiled spring extending from the closed end of one socket to the Y closed end of .the other socket, and a resilient core with which the coils of said spring engage.

10. An artificial limb comprising a hollow shank member and a footlmember pivoted together to form an ankle joint, a sleeve fitted to the lower end ofsaid shank mem-V ber, reinforcing members secured within said sleeve, said members carrying a .downwardlyopening-socket and said foot mem; ber having anupwardly openingfsocket, a coiled spring extending from the closed end ofone socket to the closedend of thepother iso socket, and a resilient core with which the coils of said spring engage.

11. An artificial limb comprising a hollow shank member, a sleeve iitted to the lower end of said shank member, reinforcing partition members secured within said sleeve, an ankle joint member having a seat upon the lower one of said reinforcing members, and a foot member attached to said ankle joint member.

12. An artificial limb comprising a hollow shank member, a sleeve fitted to the lower end of said shank member, thickened portions on the sides of said sleeve, an ankle joint member having a seat upon said thickened portions and a foot member attached to said ankle joint member.

13. An artificial limb comprising a shank member, a foot member, a sleeve member provided with an indentation adapted to be expanded into engagement with the inner wall of said shank member at its lower end, and a pivotal connection between said sleeve member and said foot member. Y

14. An artificial limb comprisinga shank member, a foot member, a sleeve member, a ledge on the inner wall of said sleeve member, said sleeve member beingprovided with a cut adjacent the upper edge of said ledge whereby the material above the latter may be indented to permit insertion into the lower end of said shank member, said indented material being adapted to be expanded into engagement with saidcshank member, and a pivotal connection between said sleeve member and said foot member.

15. An artificial limb comprising a shank member, a foot member, a sleeve member,

ledges on the inner and outer walls of said sleeve member, said outer ledge being adapted to contact with the lower end of said shank member and said sleeve being provided with a cut adjacent the upper edges of said ledges whereby the material above the latter` may be indented to permit insertion into the lower end of said shank member, said indented material being adapted to be expanded into engagement with said shank member, and a pivotal connection between saidV sleeve member and said foot member.

16. An artificial limb comprising ahollow shell member, a connecting cord extending from said shell member, a spring hook secured to one end of said cord, a fastener secured to said shell member, said fastener having a groove around its head for attachment of said spring hook and having' a base portion to rest upon and reinforce said shell member where said fastener is attached.

17. An articial limb comprising ahollow shell member, a connecting cord extending from said shell member, a ferrule secured to one end of said cord, a spring hook having a shank portion anchored in the material surrounded by said ferrule, a fastener secured to said shell member, said fastener having a groove around its head for attachment of said spring hook and having a base portion to rest upon and reinforce said shell member where said fastener is attached.

18. An articial limb comprising a hollowV hard fiber shell member extending substantially to the top of the limb and having portions removed at the front and rear thereof, reinforcing strips secured at the sides of said member, said strips having a breaking characteristic which is different from that of said member, and a socket member secured to the portions of said shell member which are provided with said reinforcing strips.

19. An artificial limb comprising ahollow hard fiber shell member extending substantially to the top of the limb and having portions removed at the front and rear thereof, reinforcing strips secured at the sides of ysaid member, said strips having a breaking characteristic which is different from that of said member, a socket member secured to the portions of said shell member which are provided with said reinforcing strips, said socket member having an opening at the rear thereof, and means for adjustably holding together the edges of said opening.

20. An artificial limb comprising a hollow hard fiber shell member extending substantially to the top of the limb and having portions removed at the front and rear thereof, reinforcing strips secured at the sides of said member, said strips having a breaking characteristic which is different from that of said member, a socket member secured to the portions of said shank member which are provided with said reinforcing strips, a foot member pivoted to said shank member, side straps secured to said shank member and extending from said foot member part way up said shank member, and securing bolts extending through holes in the lower ends of said side straps.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature.

OSCAR E. WORMAN. 

